Hannah Jun may be more used to the beachwear of her native California but the 26-year-old had no problem acclimatising to the parkier conditions of East Lothian as she eased to the head of the field during round one of the Aberdeen Ladies Scottish Open at Archerfield Links.

Jun, well happit up in various layers and waterproofs on a generally dour day, posted a neatly assembled six-under 66, her lowest score since joining the Ladies European Tour last year, and finished three shots ahead of England’s Rebecca Hudson and Ashleigh Simon of South Africa.

“It averages 75°F back home all year round and I’m usually in flip flops and shorts so this is a change,” said Jun, who finished 14th in last season’s Scottish event and has two top-three finishes to her name on the European circuit.

Having studied history in her time at the University of California in Los Angeles, the American is relishing another trip to the home of golf and she illuminated her round with a strong putting display including three 15-footers for birdies at six, 13 and 15. “I love coming here,” she smiled. “Everything is so old.”

Jun was not referring to a couple of the golf writers in attendance although, with rounds creaking towards a dispiriting six hours in the pro-am contest, the process of fossilisation was in danger of taking hold.

The former World junior champion, who has always harboured a passion for travel, opted to broaden her horizons in a bid to achieve her golfing ambitions. “I’m a member at the same club as Pat Hurst [a five-time Solheim Cup player] and she said to me that if she could have her career all over again she would play as much as possible overseas,” said Jun, who is currently 50th on the European money list with two top-20 finishes this season.

“It is a whole new world and it’s a great experience. If I want to be the best then I have to play outside of the US. I just want to play golf and I don’t care if it’s in Oregon, Alabama or Scotland. Some players can get in a comfort zone in the US and the change of coming to different places can be a lot to handle. I was lucky that my parents and I travelled around the world when I was younger so it’s not as terrifying for me. I’m not that keen on living out of a suitcase though.”

While globetrotting Jun blazed the early trail over the Fidra links, local favourite Catriona Matthew from North Berwick led the Scottish challenge with a two-under 70 to lurk in a share of fourth.

The former Women’s British Open champion, 41, had been one-over with five holes to play but produced a late flourish and birdied three of her last five, a run that was highlighted by a putt of 20-feet at the 15th.

Coatbridge’s Clare Queen, who has made just two cuts on the tour this season, rallied after a brace of bogeys at the first and second to salvage a one-under 71 while Carly Booth, who opened with a pair of birdies, signed for a 72 at the end of an excruciatingly long day. “It took us three hours to play nine holes and I had no idea what was going on,” said the 19-year-old. “I’m usually a quick player but I felt like I’d been out there all day.”